If a straight up, good old-fashioned, two channel stereo is what your son wants, I see in the clasifieds right now a Rega Brio integrated amp for 300, a Rega Planet cd player for 300, and Rega Jura speakers for 400 (no affiliation with any sellers). Would be a great sounding system and the unusual and cool looks might really appeal to a young man.
Help me put a system together for under $1k.
I am trying to come up with a system for around $1k for my son's room. He is of the age where music is really starting to interest him and he loves to discover different types of music. My goals are to put together a system that would sound on the warm side with none of the cheap stereo nasties like sizzling highs and muddy bass. Thin sounding system would be a turn off as well. I would rather sacrifice the bottom and top end response for a better balanced, relaxed and musical system that would play any kind of music and be enjoyable for hours on end of listening. Due to the budget restraint, it would have to be an integrated with bookshelf speakers. CD player and possibly an inexpensive turntable would be nice too as an alternative to using Ipod for playback. I have been eyeballing the Epos ELS3 and Cambridge Azur 640A, am I on the right track so far? Your input would be appreciated!
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How old is your son, and is it his desire or yours that the sound characteristics are as you describe? My son is 16 and I constantly amazed and impressed at how into music he is - all sorts of different genres, constantly telling me about new bands he has discovered, etc. But he just listens on his computer. That said, he listens basically every minute he's home and has never once complained about bad or fatiguing sound. That said, if I was buying a $1K system, I'd keep it simple and buy a Linn Classik and the best used speakers I could find with whatever I had leftover after that purchase. Good tunes in a compact space. |
Flyski: There are quite a few decent performers made by the major mid-fi manufacturers that are definitely worth considering and will give your son not only good sound, but also some advanced connectivity options that more traditional hifi equipment will not. I started by going to J&R Music's website. For your budget, you can put together quite a system ... Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR 573 for $300. Nice touches are an XM ready tuner and easy hook-up for iPod. Speakers: Polk R50 Floorstanders for $250 (reduced from $650) CD/SACD/DVD player: Onkyo DV-SP502B for $250 Your total at this point is $800 Add a turntable by going to KABUSA's website ... Turntable: Technics SL-BD 20 complete with PMX-01 preamp and cartridge for $200. For cables, I would stick with either Radio Shack's mega cables or go to Signal Cable. A lot of equipment for a grand and it would be new. Regards, Rich |
I have been into HIFI since before my son was born, he is 13 now. He grew up listening to the "good" stuff on my system and watched the component come and go over the years as my system evolved over many years. He knows what a "good" sounding system sounds like and like any other 13 year old would like to have a system of his own in his room which is normal and part of growing up. You know, imitating adults with possessions and things he can call his "own", completely understandable to me. I am dedicating $1k to this project of his first system. He understands that his system is not going to be of the same quality or "high" price as mine but we both also know that you do not necessarily have to spend tons of money to get great sound, just have to put a system together with properly chosen components that have synergy and without the obvious or glaring MID-FI shortcomings. That's why I specifically mentioned the parameters I am trying to accomplish with this system in my initial post, because in the long run, it will be enjoyable to listen to. Again, I am looking for a smooth sounding system without bloated bass, harsh highs or very prominent or "forward" midrange. Giving up a little of the bottom octave and the very top for a smooth sounding system is perfectly acceptable and preferable to both of our tastes in sound. Thanks for your input and keep the suggestions coming! |
Maybe this is cheating but an Eastern Electric CD Player with Audio Technica Headphones might be found used in the price range you are describing. 6 moons review. Unfortunately won't be something he can play for the gang when they come over, but hey - that's what your system is for right? Will give you the sound you are looking for and a good start he can build on later if he likes. Finding the quality you want under $1000 is gonna be tough IMHO. Not sure I agree the ipos will meet your sound quality requirements. |
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